Grant Applications
Those eligible for Miccio Foundation grants in support of Iowa's animals will be individuals and groups who have demonstrated commitment to animal welfare. Examples include, but are not limited to, private and governmental animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, volunteer foster organizations, local animal control agencies, and veterinarians. We will not support activities inconsistent with federal, state or local laws and ordinances, and we reserve the right to a phone interview or a request for additional information prior to making funding decisions.
The Miccio Foundation's focus is to support organizations and individuals involved in animal welfare. Since the establishment of the Foundation in 2000, our focus has been on companion animals. Projects eligible for funding are those that will have an immediate, direct and measurable impact on improving animal welfare in a target community. Grants can be for spay/neuter programs, humane education, start-up programs, medical care and equipment, caging, adoption support, etc.
Projects of greatest interest are those that include:
- Renovating facilities to ensure the health and well being of animals prior to adoption and/or improving the efficiency of overall daily operations.
- Developing and sustaining alliances that may include sharing resources to accomplish specific activities, e.g. spay/neuter, transportation, professional services, equipment, etc.
- Supporting areas of the state in which resources for animals are limited or unavailable.
Individuals or organizations may apply for funds from the Miccio Foundation through a three-tier grant program. Applicants may apply for only one Miccio Foundation Standard or Mini grant per funding cycle. In addition to applying for a Standard or Mini grant, applicants may apply for one Jean M. Walker grant per cycle. Funding cycles occur twice annually, in May and November.
The Foundation will award up to $10,000 for a Standard grant to shelters or individuals licensed by the State of Iowa. Attach a copy of your licensed shelter registration with your proposal. If you are a municipal facility, you must include a current, project-specific letter of support from your council, mayor or city manager and a copy of the municipal budget as it pertains to the operation of your shelter. All applications to fund spaying or neutering must include your organization's written policy for those services.
Organizations and individuals regardless of licensing by the State of Iowa are eligible for the Miccio Foundation Mini grant of up to $1,500. The Mini grant, designed to support focused and immediate animal welfare goals, uses an abbreviated application process. Please attach a current, project-specific letter demonstrating the support and involvement of the target community with your proposal. In exceptional circumstances, grants of more than $1,500 may be funded. Contact the Miccio Foundation Board prior to submitting such an application.
The Foundation will award up to $1,000 for a Jean M. Walker grant to organizations and individuals regardless of licensing by the State of Iowa. The Jean M. Walker grant is designed to raise public awareness to improve the humane treatment of animals. This grant will be awarded to individuals and organizations 1) providing educational programming on the humane treatment of animals and/or 2) taking action to end inhumane treatment of animals, particularly the abuse and suffering of companion animals bred under inhumane conditions. Please attach a current, project-specific letter demonstrating the support and involvement of the target community with your proposal.
Grant Applications
Click here for the appropriate application: Standard, Mini, or Jean M. Walker.
Help with getting a grant
Click here for easy to understand advice from the American Humane Association on the business of getting a grant.
More help with getting a grant and other funding strategies from the Humane Society of the United States.
To help you organize your Miccio proposal, we now provide sample grant applications that include grant writing tips.
Click here for a sample of a Standard grant application (addressing facility maintenance/remodeling).
Click here for a sample of a Mini grant application (addressing spay/neuter).
Submission Information
Mail seven copies of all your grant material to the address shown below:
The Miccio Foundation
P. O. Box 522
Iowa City, Iowa 52244-0522